Image Transfer Workshop

2012-01-28T15:55:00.000-08:00

The Seed of Sound 40x30"

Sound and color are intertwined for me. When I hear music I see colors and numbers create songs in my mind. This is called synesthesia, or a crossing of the senses. It makes life fun. Try listening to a passage of music or close your eyes and listen to the sound of nature. See what it inspires. Have fun with it.

Happy Solstice

2011-12-21T05:30:00.000-08:00

Dancing With Creation

Sandra Duran Wilson

The Solstice is one of the happiest times of year for me because, here in the northern hemisphere, we experience the return of the light. The days begin to get longer and soon the plants that are frozen and sleeping deep in the earth will feel a pull to stretch and rise up to the sun once again. This is similar to our creative cycles. We must return to our core to replenish the creative seed. The long nights are a good time to take stock and set new goals that will grow and flourish with the increasing light. May your solstice be joyful and peaceful.

Layers of Texture

2011-12-14T14:08:00.000-08:00

Night Sky - Sandra Duran Wilson

This painting has loads of texture created with plaster and gel mediums. I apply them as is and when dry I use glazes to create depth. The trick is to let each glaze layer dry before adding the next. Apply the colored glaze, wait a few minutes and then wipe most of it off. You will have that stays in the crevices. The next layer may have a bit more color left on. Play with the layers until you get the effect you desire. You can always go back and add more plaster on top to get a lighter area. Some crackle effects and transfers complete the piece.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T05:30:00.000-08:00

Interconnected

Happy Thanksgiving and thank you all for your support and encouragement. Have a wonderful day filled with love, gratitude and lots of friends, loved ones and good food.

Let Go and Create

2011-11-17T05:30:00.000-08:00

Stripes of Another Color

This little painting turned out to be one of my favorite paintings. It started as what I call my throw away piece. I always keep a couple of canvases or paper in my studio to put leftover paint or mediums onto so I don't throw them down the sink. I continue to build up colors and textures until I have a beautiful background to complete my painting. The throw away piece becomes the masterpiece. I think these pieces work out so well because I am not so invested in their preciousness. Try it and see.

A New Perspective

2011-11-10T05:30:00.000-08:00

Lunarscape by Sandra Duran Wilson

When you layer several resist techniques you create a more sophisticated background that isn't readily identifiable as a particular technique. I am going to name all the techniques that were used and see if you can figure out where they are and what order they were in. I have used alcohol resist, soap resist, glazing, molding paste, embossing, gels, crackle, transfer, sanding and polymer mediums. Have fun.

Inspired by a Demo

2011-11-08T09:45:00.000-08:00

This piece was inspired by a demo I did in one of my classes that I then scanned into my computer and played with the composition in Photoshop. Finally when I got to a place where it was working for me then I went to painting the final piece which has so many techniques used. There is gold leaf, stamping, alcohol, stenciling, transfer painting, water slide decals, collage and more.

Midsummer Dream, 20" x 16" mixed media on panel

2011-11-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

Fiesta by Sandra Duran Wilson

Fiesta time is party time. I love all the bright colors of Mexico and New Mexico. Darlene and I just finished a show at El Museo de Cultural in Santa Fe, NM. We had Mariachi music and lots of fun. Keep the party going with your art. The top portion of this painting was created using a gel transfer and then highlighted with more paint. The lower portion has gels and pastes of different viscosities layers with glazes. Check out our books for more fun tips and tricks.

You are invited

2011-07-27T07:00:00.000-07:00


Summer Time 12x48 by Sandra Duran Wilson

You are invited to the 25th Contemporary Hispanic Market in downtown Santa Fe, NM July 30-31 from 8-5 on Lincoln Ave off the historic plaza. Please stop by and visit me in booth #58 and Darlene in #48. There is also a preview and awards show Friday evening at the Convention Center on Marcy St.

Summer Time and it's Hot!

2011-07-21T10:17:00.000-07:00


Golden Glow by Sandra Duran Wilson

I love texture that you can jump into. I created the luscious texture in the bottom portion of the painting using gels and mediums, like soft gel gloss and heavy gel matte. I don't worry about different sheens because I can unify them in the final steps. I also used heavy body paint to drag color across the peaks and glazes to get nice transparent layers. The entire painting was created on top of gold leaf. The upper portion has texture embossing and collage. Do try this at home.

All That Glows

2011-06-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

All That Glows mixed media by Sandra Duran Wilson

This painting uses techniques from both of our books. The painting started with a gold gesso transfer. I sanded areas back and put on layers of glaze, then added dimension with molding paste put through a stencil.

When dry these were painted, more layer of glaze and there you go. Try it.

New Work

2011-05-17T06:38:00.000-07:00

Starlight Times

24x6

This little gem uses many of the techniques from our new book, including Crazy Easy Transfer painting, gels and pastes, glazing and collage.

Science and Art

2011-05-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

Time Traveler Future

Sandra Duran Wilson

This painting is my version of what a wormhole may look like as you zip through the space-time continuum. I have used glue crackle, plastic wrap, gels and mediums to get this other-worldy look. You can too. Check out the book.

Surface Treatment Workshop examples

2011-04-29T14:34:00.000-07:00

Garden Path 10x10

Sandra Duran Wilson

This painting uses several of the techniques from our new book, Surface Treatment Workshop. The lower portion started with a transfer and then I did acrylic pours over that. The top had painted gampi tissue overlayed on top of the background painting. Some collage finished it off with a satin varnish to give it a waxy look.

She Gambled It All for Love

2011-04-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

This 24" x 24" piece has a very large gel transfer, water slide decal, stained glass insert, vintage playing card, collage, and pearls. In addition, there are various techniques from the new book, Surface Treatment Workshop, such as crackle, alcohol and Elmer's glue.

The Book is Shipping!!!

2011-04-13T12:51:00.000-07:00

Surface Treatment Workshop finally is no longer a pre-order item on Amazon but actually in people's hands. Sandra and I are both thrilled about the finished product. It is really is a great for your art arsenal.

It was such a pleasure to do all those projects and really push ourselves when we did the variations.

You probably noticed that are web site is new and combines both books. We were going to do two different web sites but decided it would drive us nuts. There will be updates in the gallery sections in the next several months.

New Book-Surface Treatment Workshop

2011-03-30T08:26:00.000-07:00

Delightful 10x10

Sandra Duran Wilson

This painting incorporates gels, mediums, stencils, glazes, glue and a few other tricks that can be found in our new book, Surface Treatment Workshop. We got our preview copies and they look amazing. The book will start shipping in April and will be in bookstores in May and June.

Free Demo

2011-03-17T14:44:00.000-07:00

Roots 8x8

Sandra Duran Wilson

acrylic and collage with transparency transfers

I will be demonstrating transparency transfers with a free hands-on art fest, Friday March 18th from 2-5 at the Inn and Spa at Loretto in downtown Santa Fe, NM. Please stop by and make some art to take home with you. This event is open to all. Pass the word if you know anyone that may be in town.

Imagine all that can be transferred

2011-03-14T13:46:00.000-07:00

Imagine 12x10

Sandra Duran Wilson

This painting shows many different transfer techniques: gel medium, paint transfer, gampi tissue, water slide decal and stencils and collage. Can you tell which ones are which, and on what layer? That is the beauty of transfers. They are integrated into the composition.

Dreaming on such a winter's day

2011-02-14T08:05:00.000-08:00

After a freezing week, we have now been hit with a heat wave. Oh, Thank heavens. So now I am dreaming about planting, flowers and spring.

This piece, Datura Dreams, 24" x 24", is a mixed media delight of image transfers, stamping, skins, alcohol techniques and some wonderful maroon plaster.

Surface Treatments-Textures

2011-02-14T08:00:00.000-08:00


Delightful 10x10

Texture is what I really love. Most of my small paintings begin life as a demonstration of a technique I am teaching. Sometimes they have many past lives and layers. This is one of them. I continued to build texture and then used stencils to add the circles. This painting incorporates many of the textures you will find in our upcoming book, Surface Treatment Workshop. You may order before it is released from Amazon, or look for it in bookstores this summer.

Combining Texture and Transfers

2011-02-11T14:27:00.000-08:00


Quantum 2010

When the background textures are combined with transfers you get a double wow factor. The bottom portion of the painting has a glue crackle with several color layers and the center square is a water slide decal over a crackle paste. You can learn these techniques and more from our books or workshops. Workshop schedule

Turquoise Forest

2011-02-10T14:13:00.000-08:00

Turquoise Forest 10x10

This fun little painting has several layers of different colors and techniques to create the background. Isolation layers of clear acrylic medium were used between the layers. This gives the painting depth and helps to smooth the edges of the collage pieces. These background techniques will be featured in our book, Surface Treatment Workshop.

Heat Wave

2011-02-02T12:51:00.001-08:00

It is frigid outside in this northern hemisphere winter and I needed something to keep me warm. This painting reminds me of the winter I spent in Brazil. The underpainting was made with micaceous iron oxide mixed with polymer medium. While still wet I moved it around with an old credit card. When it was dry, I glazed over with azo yellow and pyrrole red. I scanned the coffee beans and printed onto gampi tissue and applied with a polymer medium. Coffee that heats you up. Enjoy.

Splish Splash

2011-01-02T12:36:00.000-08:00

I have had this vintage image for the longest time and while sorting through my image collection I came across this and an image of my tree branches. The hose was a perfect line element. Having raised birds for a period in my life, I know the joy they have with water. So, Splish Splash, little birds.

All That Glows

2010-12-06T15:40:00.000-08:00

10x10 by Sandra Duran Wilson

This painting started with a gesso transfer, using gold gesso and a laser image. A stencil was used to add dimensional shapes, clear layers of acrylic add more depth and more paint completes the work.

Large is Good

2010-11-17T05:39:00.000-08:00

This piece, Floral Prose, started with a 24" x 36" gel transfer from a pigmented print on a gold leafed panel. It was my first this large and a success. The transfer was used as an underpainting.

I had been rereading the classics and I was thinking about Jane Austin as I did this piece and how the English must always dream of Spring. Maybe that is just me projecting my love of Spring and Summer.

Melody

2010-11-02T20:52:00.000-07:00

Music is my muse. I create paintings to music. Try this yourself. Get your tools out, brushes, markers or whatever and put on some music. Let yourself flow with the melody and paint the sound.

Where Has the Summer Gone?

2010-08-16T08:51:00.000-07:00

For some crazy reason, I have been on art binge where I am creating pieces with nudes. This is new to me but it has been a fun exploration.

Sandra and I spent all last winter working on our new book, Surface Techniques Workshop, and it has helped me incorporate much more to my art. In this piece I have several different transfers but have also incorporated skins, stencils, Crazy Easy Transfer Painting and collage. The fish is a wonderful 3-d element that was a gift from a friend.

Play, have fun, and paint like crazy!

I'm Back

2010-07-07T19:36:00.000-07:00

Time Dance 12x12

June has disappeared, but now I am back. Here is a new painting called Time Dance. It may explain the time warp I have been in. This painting utilizes a new type of transfer called pulled paper that will be in the Surface Treatment book that will be out next year. The technique works with ink jet or newspapers. Simply apply some polymer medium to the surface, place the newsprint down and rub. Hum the Jeopardy song twice (or about 30 seconds if you don't know the song) and then pull the paper off. Some of the text stays and some from the reverse side is also glued on. This is a very abstract and rough transfer, but you can see that it adds an interesting graphic quality to the layer.

Be Happy

2010-05-12T05:10:00.000-07:00

Sandra and I have been busy with our second book on surface treatments and I has been an incredibly expanding experience. It taught me to push the limits of every technique.

This piece, Be Happy, made me feel so good to do. It started with an vintage scrapbook that a dear friend had given me. The image transfer over it made a tattoo image on the girl's arm which I love. I also used paint and gel skins and a faux encaustic finish.

I never use a straight image transfer. I am painting under it and over it to make it mesh with the whole painting.

Transparency Transfers

2010-05-04T06:40:00.000-07:00

Ferns and Forms 8x8 by Sandra Duran Wilson

I love texture and layers and this piece has both. I have used a transparency and created a texture on it by rubbing with graphite over a textured plate. I glued the transparency down over a painted surface. There is a band of painted silk and the bottom has texture created by dragging a tool through gel medium.

All kinds of transfers

2010-03-11T09:43:00.001-08:00

City Serenade 24x24 Sandra Duran Wilson

This painting has about every kind of transfer you can imagine from gel, plastic heat, water slide decal, gampi tissue, paint and gum arabic transfers. All of these and more are found in the book. Darlene and I have just finished the art for our second book and we go to Cincinnati for the photo shoot at the end of the month. More exciting techniques to come.

The Color of Sound

2010-02-17T09:21:00.000-08:00

Sandra Duran Wilson The Color of Sound acrylic 48x48

This is a new painting incorporating some of the techniques Darlene and I have been working on for our next book with North Light Publishers. We are very excited about this book on surface treatments. It combines naturally with Image Transfer Workshop. We are taking several tried and true techniques and experimenting and pushing them to new levels. Stay tuned.

It's December! How did this happen?

2009-12-01T10:27:00.000-08:00

Rocks and Drops 16x20"

I'm not sure where the year has gone but it has been a great one. Working on the book, I feel like I'm back in the research lab cooking up all kinds of new experiments. I guess I am, but this is a lot more fun. This piece has a lazertran decal over crackle paste and I built up lots of layers to give it that waxy look. It is in a show in Washington D.C. opening this weekend at Aaron Gallery, 1717 Connecticut Ave. NW. I have three pieces in the show which runs through December. Stop by if you're in that area.

Happy Holidays

2009-11-23T07:21:00.000-08:00

Wow, the holidays are here and a new year is coming up hard and fast. Sandra and I have been busy with our second book on surfaces which is a perfect compliment to Image Transfer Workshop.

On the left, Juicy Too, is a combination of water slide transfers, gold leaf, collage and lots of glazing. A friend of mine was asked by her gallery to paint some red paintings and I thought it was a great idea so I challenged myself to do one and I had a great time. It is in a show of work by Canyon Road artists being held at The Factory in Albuquerque that starts Thanksgiving weekend.

Gratitude

2009-11-03T19:16:00.002-08:00

Misty Dawn

I now have an etching press in my studio and I am having so much fun it should be illegal. This is a collagraph using oil etching ink. I have also collaged an image on organza, the mist, and some gold leaf. A collagraph is like creating a textured collage, then you ink it and print it. I make several different plates and layer my colors and textures to create depth.

Dream Time

2009-10-16T07:46:00.000-07:00

This piece, His Future Vision, has gampi and lazertran transfers along with page from an old book and alcohol surface areas. I usually paint both underneath and on top of the transfers to integrate the images with the surface.

Sandra and I have started our second book (on surfaces) with the assistance of Bonnie Teitlebaum and we are in Dream Time. It is like being in an creative think tank. Its not just creating different surfaces but pushing the techniques to new levels. It has been a series of OH WOWs. It is amazing how one forgets how much work it is to write a book. The first book we had so much more time but we have a much faster turn around on this one. Whew.

Windows on Time

2009-10-05T19:01:00.000-07:00

Where does the time go? It goes out the windows. This image is made from a gum arabic transfer and the preserve-it rub on transfer. The target was printed first onto a rice paper using gum arabic, or paper plate lithography as it is sometimes called. The photograph I took of the windows was transferred using the preserve-it technique described in our book. This is a great way to use photos you love.

Gampi Transfers

2009-10-04T08:07:00.000-07:00

Sandra and I each have our favorite transfers - my are gampi, lasertran and gel transfers. This one is a gampi transfer laid on top of an old scrapbook page from the 1800's and then painted and stenciled on top. I love the tattooed woman look.

Update

Our book sold out in 1.5 months and is in it's second printing. Yahoo. Also, our second book proposal on surface treatments has been accepted and we are at work on it. Guess you know what we will be doing this winter.

On the Path

2009-08-13T12:16:00.000-07:00

This colorful painting was a creative challenge I gave myself to use up the bits and pieces left on my work table. I layered, drew, painted and glued. What more fun can one have.

If you are at a standstill for where to go, just look in front of you and use what is on hand. Many times I have left-over bits and pieces that are too beautiful to throw away (we are such pack rats). Put them to use and give yourself the creative challenge.

Motherhood Was Out of Focus

2009-07-20T14:28:00.000-07:00

Some pieces just come together like magic. This is one of those pieces. The ironic thing with painting this week is that I worked on this piece which is quite dark in color and another piece that is very bright with hot pink, greens and turquoise. Obviously, I must be Sybil of the art world.

Made some big decisions about my art this week. Mainly it was about working big and forgoing the small pieces for awhile to see how this works for me.

My Contemporary Hispanic Market Piece

2009-07-17T10:06:00.001-07:00

I have had these panels for years and always knew I wanted to have a gold leaf background so I finally did it. It is an ode to Valesquez's Las Meninas. The crows love bling as much as I do hence their presence. The gold leaf really makes the piece glow.

Sandra and I both hope to see you at the market on July 25-26. We can't sell our book there but we will have one for you to see if you stop by.

Ode to a Master
38" x 38" mixed media on panel
(gel and lazertran transfers)

2009-07-16T16:40:00.000-07:00

Darlene and I will be at the Contemporary Hispanic Market in Santa Fe on Lincoln Ave the weekend of July 25-26. The show runs 8 to 5 both days. I am in booth #58 and Darlene is in # 48. Please stop by to say hi, catch up on art and look at the latest work. We will be glad to show you the book, sign your copy and share our latest transfer techniques.

See you at the market!

Sandra Duran Wilson
Octopus's Garden
30 x 10
acrylic gel transfers on Venetian plaster

The Time Has Arrived!

2009-06-25T08:12:00.000-07:00

Windows on Time, by Sandra Duran Wilson, is one of the pieces I created for the book using two different transfer techniques. The top portion is a gum arabic printing transfer and the lower portion is a Preserve-It transfer that I came up with. They are both in the book and I hope you have fun playing with all 35 techniques. You should receive your book about mid July if you have pre-ordered it from Amazon. If you haven't here is the link.

http://www.amazon.com/Image-Transfer-Workshop-Mixed-Media-Techniques/dp/1600611605/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232977667&sr=8-1

We Did It!

2009-06-25T07:22:00.001-07:00

The Image Transfer Workshop website went up today so the blog will be in full gear now. If you have questions, show and tell or whatever please leave us a comment. Sandra and I got our authors copy of the book and love it! We found a few small glitches which will be fixed in the next printing.

Both Sandra and I will be posting to the blog, showing you samples, and discussing techniques. If you want to learn more about us you can go to our websites - sandraduranwilson.com or darleneoliviamcelroy.com. If you are in Santa Fe for Artist's Material Expo 2009 "Creative Expression" (Sept. 17, 18, 19, 20), come for either of our demos.

Creative Touch, 16" x 20" mixed media with gel, gesso and gampi transfers by Darlene Olivia McElroy

Busy Girl

2009-04-21T12:41:00.000-07:00

Been busy with several one-on-one workshops. Great people, lots of fun, and crazy art.

Here is a happy piece I have been working on, Tea Party. I have no ideas where this stuff comes from but I always enjoy the weird stories. Notice the great 1940's paper dolls and their clothes? I used gel, lazertran and gampi transfers.

Lena Bartula from San Miguel del Allende has invited me to teach a workshop there in January. You bet. It is the perfect time to be there and get the juices flowing in another country.

Darlene